The Hiking Camera Conundrum

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

This post largely boils down to two questions:

1. Just how weather resistant is the X100V really?

Hi,

Considering the fact that it does not have an IP rating, it's hard to tell. It's likely it can withstand light rain/snow and some dust for a couple minutes at a time with the front filter attached.

1. Is there a way to carry an X-E body and lens such that is accessible (which likely means attached to the chest via rucksack straps) and well-protected from torrential rain?

You could get a soft underwater housing. That's probably your best option if you intend to shoot under the rain. You can also get a "proper" (hard) underwater housing/case for it, but it will add substantial weight to your kit.

Currently my main hiking setup is the X-T2 and 16-80, which broadly speaking suits me fine: the range goes just about wide enough and just about long enough, and image quality is just about good enough. I have decent faith in the weather sealing of the X-T2 and it means not having to change lenses.

Thing is, that kit represents not only a large chunk of financial value but the T2 is also my most advanced body in terms of sensor and imaging capability. Which again is fine, except that most of the time I’m not hiking, and if I’m not hiking then I’m likely to be using either an X-E body or my X100T (I prefer the rangefinder ergonomics, especially as I’m a left eye shooter). Pretty much the only time I use the X-T2 other than hiking is for street photography in the rain.

So it makes sense to put the greatest image quality into a body I’ll use a lot, which probably means the X100V.

Now, I’m comfortable with that being adequately rainproof for urban use, but the hills are different: once you’re out, there’s no shelter when the weather hits hard. But if I change my kit then it’s either a case of taking the X100V or packing an X-E into an absolutely watertight bag. And given experience of one day this year (persistent 50mph+ wind and rain that killed two iPhones and penetrated supposed dry bags within my rucksack) I’m dubious about the latter.

There is always the option of keeping my 27mm WR and picking up a cheap X-T1, but that adds expense.

So keeping your X-T2 and using it with the 27mm WR kit would not suit you?

Another option is the X-Pro3 instead of the X100V, but that works out more expensive and leaves me with the 27 as my street setup rather than the more compact and nicer-rendering X100 lens. In any case, I still need to test drive both, as I couldn’t get on with the X-Pro2’s viewfinder (I wear glasses) and I’m not sure I’ll like the X100V’s button positions (being left-eyed).

The bottom line is that Fuji should build a rugged and waterproof camera based on the X100V. Would be the ultimate travel camera.

So: a truly weatherproof setup is needed; is the X100V up to the job? If not, what ideas have I missed?

I really believe a quality underwater housing (such as those from EWA marine) is the only solution to reliably protect the X100V/X-E4 (or at least significantly lowering the risks associated with photography in extreme weather). Good luck!

Cheers 🙂